Adolescent girls' perceptions of breastfeeding in two low-income periurban communities in South Africa. Issue 7 (20th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zweigenthal, Virginia; Strebel, Anna; Hunter-Adams, Jo
• Is Part Of: Health care for women international. Volume 40:Issue 7/8/9(2019)
• Page Start: 995
• Page End: 1011
• Publication Date: 2019-08-20
• Subjects: Women -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Women's health services -- Periodicals; Genital Diseases, Female; Neonatology; Obstetrics; Women -- psychology; Femmes -- Santé et hygiène -- Périodiques; Femmes -- Santé, Services de -- Périodiques; 613.0424405
• DOI: 10.1080/07399332.2018.1549043
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0739-9332

Abstract

Abstract: In South Africa, exclusive breastfeeding rates are low, and rates of teenage pregnancy are high. Educational policy enables mothers' return to school, which conflicts with policy emphasizing exclusive breastfeeding. We elicited adolescent women's perceptions and experiences of infant feeding choices, and conducted six focus groups ( N = 57) in two periurban settlements. Participants knew arguments in favor of and against breast and formula-feeding, but in practice, mixed feeding occurred early after birth. While completion of high school was emphasized, exclusive breastfeeding was viewed as impractical. Congruent education policies and infant feeding policies/guidelines must address the constraints and contexts of adolescent mothers.